Apparatus for assembling sheet material



Nov. 22, 1927.

1,649,802 v. H. BODLE ET AL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING SHEET MATERIALFiled March 21. 1925 3 Z 48 -1 JUL/51774755 Mai/22pm:

Nov. 22, 1927.

1,649,802 v. H. BODLE ET AL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING SHEET MATERIALFiled March 21, 1925' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 31 Zwf/zarv. Jigzzz zfi. 4.5 44 vw Nov. 22, 1927. v. H. BQDLE ET AL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING smamMATERIAL Patented Nov. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VIRGIL H. BODLE AND WILLIAM E. JAQUITH, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNQRS TO B.F. GOOIDRICH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING SHEET MATERIAL.

Application filed March 21, 1925. Serial No. 17,445.

object to provide amethod of and an appa ratus for superimposing inaccurate aligninent sheets of flexible, tacky material and for pressingthem smoothly and firmly together in such manner as to preclude thetrapping of air between the sheets. A further object is to provide meansfor uniting adhesively a woven fabric and thin elastic raw rubber toform a smooth, composite sheet without materially stretching either thefabric or the rubber. A further specific object of our invention is toprovide means for plying up a fabric lining and a raw rubber shoesection preparatory to the incorporation of the shoe section and lining,as a unit, in a shoe construction.

Gf the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, certain parts being broken away and othersshown in section, of an apparatus embodying and adapted to carry out apreferred embodi ment of our invention.

Fig. 2 is a section of the apparatus 011 line 2'2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a. plan of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to Fig. 2, showing themechanism in another position of operation.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of a supporting bracket for the presserroll.

In the drawing, 10 indicates a stationary cylinder, preferably oftubular construction, axially supported by means of radially disposedspokes 12 and hub 13 on an arbor 14 and secured against rotation thereonby a key 15. The arbor projects beyond the ends of the cylinder 10 andis horizontally supported in a suitable frame which, as shown, consistsof two side members 16, 17, mounted on, a base 19 and braced bytransverse struts 20. :21 and 22, the extremities of the arbor 11 beingsecured to the side members 16 and 1?.

The upper portion of the cylinder 10 constitutes a work table 24 for theassembling of sheet material. It is desirable, although not essential,to provide means for holding the work firmly on the table and anyconvenient means for accomplishing this result may be employed. Asherein illustrated, there is provided a Vacuum chamber 25 having aplurality of ducts 26' leading therefrom to the rear central rtion ofthe work table.

' A sub-atmospheric pressure is intermittently produced in the chamber25 by means of an air ejector 27 which is supplied with air underpressure from a high pressure line 28 and which discharges the spent airthrough an exhaust pipe 29, the high pressure air being supplied to andcut off from the ejector at predetermined recurring periods, as will behereinafter more fully described.

A roll carrier of suitable construction is rotatably supported in suchmanner as to direct a presser roll 31 and a series ofmaterial-supporting rolls 32 in rotational movements about the cylinder10. As shown, the roll carrier consists of two annular disks 33, 34,oneat each end of and concentric with the cylinder 10. The disks arerigidly secured together in spaced relation by tie rods 35. At the innersides of each of the disks 33. 34, a series of flanged wheels 36 aremounted on stubshafts 37 secured tothe disks 33, 34, the arrangementbeing such that the flanges of the wheels 36 bear lightly against theends of the hollow cylinder 10 and the treads of the wheels beartangentially on the cylindrical surface thereof, thus definitelypositioning the rotary roll carrier with relation to thecylinder 10. y

The presser roll 31 is journaled in guide blocks 39 slidably mounted inguide ways 40 which are secured to the annular discs 33 and 3 10f theroll carrier. Pins 41 secured in the blocks 39 and disposed in slots 4E2of the ways 40 limit the radial movements of the guide blocks 39. Eachof the guide blocks 39 extends outwardly beyond the journal bearing ofthe roll 31 and is provided with a slot a3 in which a spur shaft 44carrying a wheel 45 is slidably mounted. A compression spring 16 isdisposed within the slot 43 so as to bear against the inner end of theslot and the spur shaft 44:. thus holding the spur shaftand wheelnormally in an outward position against the outer end of the slot s3.The side members 16 and 17 have upwardly extending projections 17 uponwhich are secured inwardly projecting members 48 having arcuate surfaces49 concentric with the cylinder 10 and disposed to engage the wheels 45and move them radially inward as the presser roll 31 traverses the worktable.

In handling certain materials which have a tendency to stick to the roll31, means for preventing such adhesion may be desirable. Thus, cam clips51 may be provided at the rear of the work table to lift the roll 31, sothat its first impact with the tacky material is not made at the veryedge, a procedure which would tend to pick up the sheet ma terial andbreak the vacuum in chamber 25, but downwardly upon the material a shortdistance from its edge. Further, at the trailing side of the roll 31theremay be several strand belts 54 running in grooves 55 in the rollBl,and in grooped pulleys 56 loosely mounted upon an adjacent tie rod 35.The material supporting rolls 32 are journaled in accurate journalblocks 57 which are bolted to the discs 33 and 84, as at 58, so that therolls 32 shall be immediately in advance of the presser roll 31 andspaced from the cylinder ,10. i

The roll carrier is rotated about the cylinder 10 in intermittentmovements, which bring the carrier to astate of rest at the twopositions, indicated in Figs. 2 and 4, respectively, by suitable drivingmechanism, the specific mechanism herein described being understoodto begiven by way of illustration. The disk 33 of the roll carrier is provided withinwardly eirtending lugs 60 to which are secured, as bybolts-61, a sprocket wheel 62.. Supported on the base 19 ot' the frameis a reduction gearing 6 1, the low speed gear of which has on its shafta driving sprocket 66, and the high speed gear 67.41 pulley 68. Abelt69, traversing the pulley 68 and a pulley 71 of an electric motor 72,suspended from the strut 20, and a sprocket chain 73 coacting with thesprockets 62 and 66, serve to transmit rotational movement from themotor through the reduction gear 64 to the roll. carrier. 7 i i Thepulley7l oi the electric motor 72runs freely on the motor shaft 75, andhas an internal cone-clutclrengaging surface 76 and an externalbrake'engaging surface 76 A cone-clutch 77 is slidably mounted on theend of the motor shaft .75, relative rotation thereon being inhibited bya feather in the "usual manner. A servile or piston motor 7 8 i so a 87,when the clutch mechanism is-iout of isinounted on theframe member 16 insubstantial alignmentwith the motor shaft and comprises a cylinder 7 9and a piston 80 having its pistonyrod 81 extending toward the clutch 77.A bell crank 82 is pivotedon an arm 83 secured tofand projecting fromthe casing of the electric motor 72, and is apertured atits upper end tosupport a threaded stud 84 between and in substantial alignment with thepiston rod 81 and clutch 77. i The lower arm of the bell crank 82 isprovided with an upstanding bracket 85 on which is mounted a brake-shoe86, disposed to be pressed frictionally against the surface 76 ot-thepulley 71 by means of a; spring engagement. a v.

i The piston motor, 78 is actuated by compressed air supplied from theair line 28 through abranch 88, in which is a control valve 89. ThevalveSS) is actuated. by a starting lever 90, operated by a push rod 91.and a stop lever 92 having a tappet arm 93 positioned to be struck bytappets t1 and 95 carried on the disk 33, the tappets being located tobring the carriage to rest at the position shown in Figs. 2 and Asshown, the levers 90 and 92 are located remote from the valve 89 and areoperatively connected therewith by an extension rod 96.

Automatic means are also brovidcd to supply air to the ejector 27. whenit is desired to hold the work to the table, and to cut ofi' the airsupply when the work is being put on and taken off from the work table.As shown, the air line 28 is provided with valve 97, the valve stem ofwhich has scoured thereto a star wheel 98 having four projectin prongs.'lappcts l9 and 1.00, suitably c isposed on the disk S t. alternatelyengage prongs of the star wheel 98, and thus serve alternately to openand close the valve 97 at desired points in the travel oi the rollcarriage.

The operation of theapparatus above described will now be briefly setforth in connection with the assembling of a fabric lining and asheet-rubber section of a rubber shoe. It is to be understood, however,that the method and the apparatus are applicable to the assembly ofsheet material of various kinds and that the specific descriptionhereinbelow is mainly illustrative.

in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,

electric current is supplied to the motor 72, WlIlClI runs continuously,and high pressure air is supplied to the air line 28. Ashoe lining 102is placedon thework table portion 24: of the cylinder 10, the rearmargins of the lining covering the conduits26. The lining 102 isnormally cut from a woven fabric and is coated on one side with curableraw rubber, either by frictioning or by cementing, and hence is tacky onone side. The lining normallyplaced on the work table Qettacky side up.The operator now presses the push rod 91, opening the valve 89whichadmits air through pipe 88 into the cylinder 79, thus forcing thepiston 80 and its stem 81 to the right (Fig. 1), and which in turn movesthe bell crank 82 in a clock-wise direction to throw the cone clutch 77into engagement sprockets 62 and 66,andohain 73, effects the.

rotation of the roll carrier, During the first movementsof the rollcarrier, tappet 99 on the disc 34str1kes a prong of the star wheel 98and opens the valve 97. This admits hi gh pressure air intothetejector27 causing a vacuum inthe chamber 25 which holds the g itlrthe valves 89 and 97 closed and the apparatus Ill) lining 102 securelyin place as the series of material-supporting rolls 32 pass inspacedrelation thereover. Upon further rotation of the roll carrier, thetappet 94 on thedisc 33 strikes the tappet arm 93 of the lever 92,cutting off the air su ply from the cylinder 79, the spring 87 e ectinga contra-clockwise movement (Fig. 1) of the bell crank 82 to release theclutch 77 from and to set the brake-shoe 86 against the pulley 71. Theadjustments are such that the roll carrier comes to rest in the positionshown in; Fig. 4.

A rawrubber vamp 104 is then laid on the rollers 32 and its rear edge isbrought flush with the rear. edge of the lining 102 and pressed by handat a single point onto the lining. (See Fig. 4.) Accurate alignment ofthe two pieces is made possible by reason of the spaces between therollers 32 which permit a suflicient view of the lining for thispurpose. The operator again presses the push rod 91, supplying air tothe piston motor'and thus setting into operation the power transmittingmechanism which rotates the roll carrier. The first movements of theroll carrier bring the wheels of the guide blocks 39 to bear against thearcuate surfaces 49 of the side wall extension 47, moving the spurshafts 44 of the wheels 45 away from the outer ends of slots 43, andthus making effective the full force of springs 46 in pressing the roll31 to the work. Impact of the roll 31 against the edge of the work isprevented by the cam clips 51 which raise the roll 31 slightly above thework and permit it to con tact downwardly on the work a short distancefrom the edge thereof. The presser roll 31 now passes over the twosheets 102 and 104 of material and presses them together, the stock 104sliding off from the rolls 32, as the roll carrier advances. As the rollcarrier approaches its original position,

tappet 100 of disk 34 contacts a prong, of the star wheel 98 and closesthe valve 97, thus cutting oil the air supply to the ejector andpermitting the work to be readily removed from the work table. At aboutthe same time, the tappet of the disk 33 engages the arm 93 of lever 92and closes the valve 89, and thus effects the withdrawal of themotorclutch from its driving position, and brings the roll carrier torest in its original position (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) ready for a succeed ingoperation.

Of particular importance is the relation of the presser roll 31 to thematerial supporting rolls 32. The roll 32 nearest the Presser roll 31should be close enough to prevent the two tacky sheets of material fromcontacting prior to the line contact effected by the presser roll inpassing thereover. This produces in effect a progressive rolling contactbetween the two sheets of material, and, where they are adhesive oradhesively coated, effectually inhibits the inclusion between the sheetsof even small'masses ofair, which upon vulcanization would expandtocause small areas of nomadhesion' or blisters in the vulcanizedproduct.

Iris to be understood that our invention is not wholly limited to thedescribed details of construction but may be variously modified withinthe scope of the claims.

We claim: 1

1. Apparatus for assembling two formed 2..Apparatus asdefined in claim 1in which the supporting means are so constructed and arranged as topermit a portion of one sheet to be flexed into contact with the othersheet while the sheets remain positioned upon their respective supports,and including roll-er means for pressing together the contactingportions of the sheets as they come progressively into contact with eachother.

3. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a tableadapted to support work, a carriage adapted to move over the table, apresser roll mounted on said carriage and adapted to exert a rollingpressure directly against work supported on said table, a vacuum chambercommunicating with the work table surface by means of conduits to holdthe work thereon, means for moving said carriage to cause the roll totraverse the table, and mechanism actuated by the movement of thecarriage for creating a a sub-atmospheric pressure in said vacuumchamber during a predetermined course of travel of said roll.

4. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a tableadapted to support work, a carriage adapted to move across said table, apresser roll mounted on said carriage and adapted to bear against saidtable, a material supporting means mounted on said carriage in advanceof and in closely adjacent relation to said presser roll, means formoving said carriage across said table including means for automaticallystopping said carriage with the material supporting means over a worksupporting portion of the table for aligning the material on the saidmaterial supporting means with the work on the table, and means forcausing the can riage to complete its traverse of the table.

5; In a machine ofthe character described, in combination, a cylinder, aroll carrier rotatably disposed with respect to said cylinder andsupporting a presser roll in rolling contact with said cylinderas itpasses over the upper side thereof, and means secured to said carrierimmediately in advance of said presser roll for supportin material inspaced relation to the cylind eigsaid means permitting a iew of thecylinder therebeneath for aligning Work on the supporting means and onthe cylinder. v

6. In a machine of the, character described, in combination, acylinderhaving an upwardly exposed portion serving as a work table, acarriage adapted to rotate around said cylinder, a presser roll mounted011 said carriage and adapted to exert a rollingpres sure on the surfaceof said table, a vacuum chamber communicating Withthe Work table surfaceby means of conduits, means for rotating said carriage about thecylinder, and mechanism activated by the rotationot said carriage forcreating sub-atmospheric pressure in said vacuum chamber during apredetermined arcuate travel of said roll.

7. In a machineof the character described, in combination, a cylinderhaving an upwardly exposed portion serving as awork table, a carriageadapted to rotate around said cylinder, a presser roll mounted on saidcarriage and adapted to exert a rolling pressure against the surface ofsaid table, a material supporting means mounted on said carriage inadvance of and closely adjacent to said presser roll, and means forrotatingsaid carriage in intermittent movements, said means includingmechanisn'i for automatically stopping said carriage in two distinctpositions, one with the Work table free of obstructions to permit theplacing of "work thereon and the other with the material supportingmeans over the Work table to permit aligning of Work on said supportingmeans and work on said table, and manual means for starting saidintermittent movcmcnts.

In witness whereof We have hereunto set our hands this 17thday of March,1925.

VIRGIL n. BODLE. WILLIAM JAQUITH.

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